Modular teller unit



United States Patent 3,298,325 MODULAR TELLER UNIT Bernard A. Carstens, Jr., Cedar Lake, Ind., and Robert L. Carstens, Oak Lawn, Ill. (both of 33 12 S. Western Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60608) Filed Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 398,648 Claims. (Cl. 10910) This invention relates to a modular teller unit which may be. erected in banks, savings and loan, currency exchanges, and the like. More particularly, it relates to a facing and support of the modular type, for a bullet resistant lower portion and a prefabricated bullet resistant teller unit for the upper portion of the counter.

Applicants assignee is a manufacturer of a bullet resistant teller unit, such as shown in FIGURE 1. These units may be associated in straight-line construction in made-to-order counters and supports to provide a bullet resistant enclosed area.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an exterior facing made of modular members which can be varied to suit the interior decorating colors and designs of a room while acting primarily as a facing for a support carrying steel plates in the lower. portion and supporting a teller unit such as shown in FIGURE 1.

The first object of the invention is to combine two upright panels which support a counter at a point below the top of the panels whereby that portion of the upper part of the panels will form a facingafor bullet resistant members positioned 'therebehind. As will appear, this objective is attained by two types of verticalpanels. 'In one. type, a seam extends downwardly from the middle of the counter; and hence for decorative purposes, the facing of the panels will be identical or closely similar. In a second embodiment, the vertical panels do not join beneath the center of the counter, which is equipped with a depending panel of its own which may be contrasting in design.. 1

Another object of the herein disclosed invention is to provide a modular teller unit in which a pair of verti-- prefabricated bullet resistant teller unit as well as support for a bullet resistant steel plate mounted below the counter or ledge which plate cooperates with the bullet resistant teller unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular teller unit construction which is economical to manufacture and simple to install in a location separate and apart from the location of its manufacture.

Other objects and uses of this invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following specification in light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a teller unit with side portion removed in order to show the construction of the subject teller unit in which a bullet resistant teller unit is'mounted on the upper portion of a counter or ledge and the front portion of the teller unit is only shown partially;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of amodular teller unit embodying the herein disclosed invention in which the teller includes a depending panel fixed'to the lower portion of a counteror ledge;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of a modular teller unit embodying the hereindisclosed invention which is similar to the unit shown in FIGURE 2, but which does not include a depending vertical panel secured to the counter or ledge; and

with a shim wedge mounted in a slot to lock the vertical panel to the ledge.

Referring now to the drawing and especially to FIG- UR-E l, a teller unit is shown therein which generally includes a modular teller unit 10 with a conventional bullet resistant teller unit 12 mounted on the modular teller unit 10 and a bullet resistant steel plate 14 mounted below. The bullet resistant teller unit 12 is conventional in its construction in that it generally includes a frame 16 with a bullet resistant glass 18 mounted therein, a pair of voice boxes 20 and 22 are connected to the frame and a bullet resistant glass 24 is positioned between the voice boxes. A transaction tray 26 is positioned below the glass 24. This particular construction of the teller unit 12 is of a well known bullet resistant construction and may be conveniently installed in any desired location as required.

Considering now in detail the modular teller unit 10 shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 it may be seen that the modular teller unit consists of relatively few parts. The modular teller unit includes a first vertical panel 28 having a kick panel 30 secured to the lower portion thereof.

The panel 28 has a pair of horizontally extending slots 32 and 34 therein. A hood 36 is fixed to the upper portion of panel 28 and the hood is generally situated in a horizontal plane. A ledge or counter 38 is connected to the vertical panel.

The ledge or counter which serves as a top includes tioned therein between'the front and rear ledges. A second vertical panel 48 has a kick panel 50 fixed to its lower portion and a hood 52 fixed to its upper portion which hood is substantially identical to hood 36. The second panel 48 contains a slot 54 which is the mirror image of slot 32 of panel 28. It should be noted that panels 28 and 48 have extended lower portions 56 and 58, respectively, for mutual. abutment under the ledge 38 when the panels are connected to the ledge.

It may be appreciated that the panels and ledges may be prefabricated in a convenient location. The panels and ledges are made of any predetermined decorative material, such as wood or any other suitable material.

The prefabricated elements then are transported to a location for installation whether it be a bank, currency exchange, savings and loan institution, or other like enter-f prise. The vertical panels have the connecting panels and the hoods attached at, the prefabrication location. At the location for installation, the prefabricated vertical panels are placed into interlocking engagement with the counter or ledge. In the instance of the subject modular teller unit, the panel 28 is positioned in slot 44 of ledge 38 while the ledge 38 is positioned in slot 32 of the same panel. It may be appreciated that the interlocking arslot 32 to secure ledge 38 to vertical panel 28. It may be readily appreciated that the shim wedges lock the panel and ledge together in firm engagement.

The second vertical panel 48 is positioned in slot 46 and ledge 38 is positioned in slot 54. The ledge and the second vertical panel 48'are locked to each other by means of shim wedges which are identical to shim wedges 60 and 62. A third shim wedge (not shown) is positioned in slot 46 to secure the second vertical panel 48 to the 9 ledge 38 and a fourth shim wedge (also not shown) is positioned in slot 54 between the second vertical panel and the ledge to hold the ledge in tight engagement with the second vertical panel. 'It may be appreciated that the teller unit arrangement described herein allows the various elements to be assembled readily and there is an inherent advantage in allowing adjustment at installation site by using shims in the various slots. There is also, an additional advantage in simplifying the manufacturing operation in the prefabrication of the various elements thereby facilitating installation by allowing a greater tolerance in the construction of the subject modular teller units.

It should be noted that the vertical panels 28 and 48 have extended portions 56 and 58 so that the vertical panels abut each other beneath the ledge 38 to provide a continuous surface. With the modular teller unit in place, the bullet resistant teller unit 12 is appropriately installed along with a bullet resistant steel plate 14. To complete the installation a pair of legs 64 with braces 66 are attached to the ledge and the steel plate. It may be appreciated that any number of units may be installed to provide a continuous wall.

Looking now to FIGURE 2, an alternate construction is shown therein. In the alternate construction, a first vertical panel 100 is shown therein with a kick panel 102 fixed to the lower portion thereof. The panel 100 has a hood 104 secured to its upper portion and a'pair of opposed slots 106 and 108 are formed therein. A counter or ledge 110 having slots 112 and 114, has a depending vertical panel 116 secured thereto with a kick panel 118 attached to the lower portion of the panel 116. A second vertical panel 120 has a kick panel 122 attached to its lower portion and a hood 124 secured to its upper portion. The panel 129 has a pair of slots 126 and 128 on opposite sides.

The panels 100 and 120 are secured to the ledge 110 in the same mannerthat panels 28 and 48 are secured to ledge 38, In view of the fact that panels 100 and 120 do not have extension portions which abut below the ledge, the construction of the modular teller unit shown in FIGURE 2 provides a diiferent appearance for the teller unit; however, the bullet resistant teller unit and bullet resistant steel plate are mounted in the same manner as mentioned above.

The dependent panel 116 may be made of any one of a variety of materials and colors for use in conjunction with the vertical panels to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect. It may be appreciatedthat the aesthetic effect of a contrasting dependent panel is substantially dififerent from a construction in which the vertical panels abut beneath the counter.

In the foregoing description, the construction of a single unit is described in detail. It is obvious that additional units may be placed on either side ofthe described unit providing an installation'which presents an extended bullet resistant effective wall which has a pleasing aesthetic appearance. It is equally obvious that the instant construction allows for an installation where only a single unit is utilized.

Although a specific embodiment of the instant invention has been described in detail above and shown in the instant drawing, it is to be understood that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is to 'be explicitly understood that the herein disclosed invention is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A teller unit, comprising, in combination, a top .having a pair of opposed slots, a vertical panel having a :slot receiving the top and being positioned in one of the :slots of the top and being secured to the top, a second vertical panel having a slot receiving said top and being positioned in the other of said slots .of said top and being k secured to said top, a bullet resistant steel plate mounted below said top and adjacent to the vertical panels, a bullet resistant glass mounted above the top and between the vertical panels, and a bullet resistant transaction tray mounted below the bullet resistant glass.

2. A teller unit as described in claim 1 wherein a voice box is mounted above the top and between the bullet re sistant glass and the first mentioned vertical panel,

3. A modular teller unit, comprising, in combination, a top having a pair of opposed slots contained therein, a side having a vertical panel With a slot in said vertical panel, said vertical panel being positioned in one of the slots of the top and the top positioned in'the slot of the vertical panel, said side having a hood attached to the upper portion of the vertical panel and said hood being substantially parallel to the top, a wedge positioned between the vertical panel and the top to lock the vertical panel to the top, a second side having a second vertical panel with a second slot in the second vertical panel, said second vertical panel positioned in the other slot of the top and the top positioned in second slot, said second side having a second hood attached to the upper portion of the second vertical panel and being substantially perpendicular to the second nested panel, and a second shim wedge positioned between the second vertical panel and the top to lock the second vertical panel to the top.

4. A modular teller unit comprising, in combination, a first side having a first vertical panel and a hood attached to the upper portion of the first vertical panel, said first vertical panel having a first slot contained therein, a second side having a second vertical panel and second hood attached to the upper portion of the second vertical panel, said second vertical panel having a slot contained therein opposite the slot of the first vertical panel, said second vertical panel being in abutment with a portion of the first vertical panel, a top having a pair of opposed slots positioned in each of the slots of the vertical panels and receiving the vertical panels in the two opposed slots, whereby the top and vertical panel are held together by interaction of the slots.

5. A modular teller unit comprising, in combination, a first vertical panel'having a slot contained therein, a second vertical panel having a slot contained therein and being spaced from the first vertical panel, a top having a pair of opposed slots positioned between the opposed vertical panels and in the slots of the vertical panels and receiving the panels in the opposite slots, a 'front panel attached to the top and extending therebelow and having opposite edges adjacent to the first and second vertical panels, a shim wedge positioned between the first vertical panel and the top to secure the first vertical panel and top, and a second shim wedge positioned between the second vertical panel and top to secure the second vertical panel to top.

6. A modular teller unit comprising, in combination,

vertical panel, a second shim wedge positioned in the slotof the top to secure the vertical panel to top, a second .vertical panel having a second slot therein positioned in the other slot of top and the top positioned in slot of second vertical panel, said second verticalpanel being in abutment with the first mentioned vertical panel below the top, a third shim wedge positioned in slot of .second vertical panel to secure the top to the second vertical panel, and fourth shim wedge positioned in the other slot of the top to secure the second vertical panel to the P- 7. A modular teller unit comprising, in combination, a top having a front ledge, a rear ledge formed integral with 'front ledge and a pair of opposed slots between the front and rear ledges; a first side having a first vertical panel having a slot contained therein, said side having a hood attached to the upper portion of the vertical panel, said vertical panel being positioned in one of the slots of the top and having the top positioned in the slot of the vertical panel, a second side having a second vertical panel, said side having a second hood attached to upper portion of the second vertical panel, said second vertical panel positioned in the other of the slots of the top and the top positioned in the second slot, a first shim wedge positioned in the slot of the first vertical panel to secure the top to the first vertical panel, a second shim wedge positioned in the slot of the top to secure the top tothe first vertical panel, a third shim wedge positioned in the slot of the second vertical panel to secure the second vertical panel to the top, a fourth shim wedge positioned in the other slot of the top to secure the top to the second vertical panel, and a front panel attached to the front ledge and having opposite edges adjacent to the first and second vertical panels.

8. A teller unit comprising, in combination, a top having a pair of opposed slots contained therein, a first vertical panel having a slot contained therein positioned in the slot of the top and receiving the top in its slot, a shim wedge between the top and the vertical panel to secure the second panel to the top, a first hood attached to the upper portion of the vertical panel, a second vertical panel having a slot positioned in the other slot of the top and having the slot receiving said top, a second shim wedge between the second vertical panel and the top to secure the second vertical panel to the top, a second hood attached to the upper portion of second vertical panel, a bullet resistant steel plate mounted below the top and adjacent to the vertical panels, a bullet resistant glass mounted above the hood and having a portion between the vertical panels above the top, and a transaction tray mounted below the bullet resistant glass,

9. A modular teller unit comprising, in combination, a first vertical panel having a slot contained therein, a second vertical panel having a portion of said second vertical panel abutting the first vertical panel and said vertical panel being substantially on the same plane, said second vertical panel having a slot contained therein and being opposed to the slot of the first vertical panel, a top having a pair of opposed slots and having the first vertical panel mounted on one of said slots and being positioned in slot of first vertical panel substantially perpendicular to the panels, a wedge positioned between the top and first vertical panel securing the first vertical panel to the top, said top having the second vertical panel positioned in its other slot and being positioned in the slot of the second vertical panel, and a second wedge between the top and the second vertical panel securing the second vertical panel to the top.

10. A teller unit comprising, in combination, a top having a pair of opposed slots, a vertical panel having a slot receiving the top and being positioned in one of the slots of the top perpendicular to said top, a second vertical panel having a slot receiving said top and being positioned in the other slot of said top and being in substantially the same plane as the other vertical panel, a first shim wedge positioned in one of the slots of the top securing the first vertical panel to the top, a second shim wedge positioned in the slot of the first vertical panel, a third shim wedge positioned in the other of the slots of the top securing the other vertical panel to the top, a fourth shim wedge positioned in slot of second vertical panel securing the top to the second vertical panel, a front panel mounted below the top and having opposite edges adjacent to the first mentioned vertical panel, and the second vertical panel a bullet resistant steel plate mounted below the top and adjacent to the front panel to the vertical panels, a bullet resistant glass mounted above the top and between the vertical panels, and a transaction tray mounted below the bullet resistant glass.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,512,791 10/ 1924 Musselman 109-12 1,875,649 9/ 1932 Orr 10919 2,105,204 1/ 193 8 Soderholm 109-19 3,017,219 1/1962 Mallett 108-42 X 3,069,216 12/1962 Vaeth 312257 X REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

L. J. SANTISI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TELLER UNIT, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A TOP HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED SLOTS, A VERTICAL PANEL HAVING A SLOT RECEIVING THE TOP AND BEING POSITIONED IN ONE OF THE SLOTS OF THE TOP AND BEING SECURED TO THE TOP, A SECOND VERTICAL PANEL HAVING A SLOT RECEIVING SAID TOP AND BEING POSITIONED IN THE OTHER OF SAID SLOTS OF SAID TOP AND BEING SECURED TO SAID TOP, A BULLET RESISTANT STEEL PLATE MOUNTED 